Plate shaving machine



June 28, 1938 w. F. HUCK 2,122,143

PLATE SHAVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HI I04INVENTOR.

A 1- "FY.

June 28, 1938. w. F. HUCK PLATE SHAVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1956 2SheetsSheec 2 INVENTOH.

Patented June 28, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to R. Hoe & 00.,Inc.,

poration of New York New York, N. Y., a cor- Application December 11,1936, Serial No. 115,309

19 Claims.

This invention relates to plate shaving machines and more particularlyto shaving machines for printing plates, and has for its general objectthe provision of improvements in 5 such machines whereby the variousoperations of the same will be more fully automatic and more closelyoperatively associated.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a plate shavingmachine an automatically actuatable plate holding down means withactuating means therefor, and interconnecting controls between the sameand the plate reciprocating means.

Still another object is to provide controls for the operable parts of aplate shaving machine, whereby the attention required thereto is reducedto a minimum and its operation will be substantially simplified andfacilitated.

A further object is to provide in a plate shaving machine having areciprocable plate carriage, plate holding down means, and an adjustablecutter, control means for the means to actuate the aboveinstrumentalities whereby only a single manual operation is required tostart the actuation thereof for a complete cycle of operations on theplate.

A still further object is to provide in a plate shaving machine thecombination of an electrical motor driven plate carrying table, anelectrical motor movable plate holding down member, an electricallyoperable plate cutting knife, and electrical devices for interconnectingsaid motors and member whereby a start electrical switch, when actuated,will cause a complete cycle of operations thereof, and a stop electricalswitch, when actuated, will stop the operations thereof regardless ofthe device in actuation.

'It is also an object of this invention to provide a plate shavingmachine of generally improved construction, whereby the same will besimple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient,practical, serviceable and efiicient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a side view of a plate shavingmachine embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the plate holding down mechanism of themachine;

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 looking in the direction of theindicating arrow thereon;

Figure 4 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the plate cutting bladeactuating mechanism of the machine; and

Figure 5 is a schematic electrical circuit layout showing the controlsfor the various actuating devices of the machine and theinterconnections therebetween.

The plate shaving machine illustrated in the drawings is of the typesuitable for shaving a surface of a printing plate II by reciprocatingit past a cutting blade 12. 'The complete and fully described details ofthis machine may be found by reference to Patent No. 2,040,437, issuedMay 12, 1936, over which the present invention is an improvement.Briefly, the machine includes a base frame [3, upon which a platecarrying table or carriage I4 is slidably mounted.

The table 14, in this instance, is reciprocated to H carry the plate llpast the cutting blade I2 by means of a rotatable threaded spindle l5,which threadingly engages the table l4 and is rotated in eitherdirection by a reversible electrical motor I6, through sprockets I! andI8 respectively secured to the spindle l5 and a motor shaft l9, andwhich are drivingly connected by a chain belt 2!. The motor i6 ispreferably of the well known type, which has a brake mechanismassociated therewith which is automatically applied to stop and hold themotor as soon as the same is deenergized.

The plate cutting blade l2, see Figure 4, is mounted for swingingmovement into and away from plate engaging position by being mountedupon a block 22, which is pivoted to a bracket 23 upon a shaft 24.Suitable stops 2!] limit the amount of swinging movement of the block 22upon its pivot shaft 24. The block 22 is actuated to swing it into plateengaging position by an electrical solenoid 25 which, when energizedattracts its armature 26 and draws it thereinto. This movement of thearmature 26 through its connection with an arm 21 secured to the plate22 swings the same and its supported blade I2 into the path of the plateH for shaving operation thereon when the table I4 is reciprocated in onedirection herein, as shown in Figure 1, toward the right hand end of themachine. Deenergization of the solenoid 25 releases its pull upon thearmature 26 whereupon the weight thereof, and of. the connecting parts,will swing the blade l2 upwardly and away from engagement with the plateII. A blade adjusting screw 28 is provided together with a bladeclamping bolt 29 whereby the blade |2 may be respectively adjusted onthe block 23 and secured in its adjusted position thereon.

As shown herein the plate II is retained in position on the table H bymeans of a plate engaging member 3|. A plate holding down deviceincluding a pair of opposed arms 33, one being disposed at each side ofthe machine with one of its ends pivoted upon a shaft 34 to the adjacentone of a pair of opposed side brackets 35. A plurality of plate engagingrollers 36 are disposed between the arms 33, each being rotatablymounted on a shaft 31, which extends between the arms 33 and isresiliently supported to each by a spring 38, whereby the rollers 36will pressingly engage the plate H to hold it firmly against the tablel4.

A reversible electric motor 4| is mounted upon one of the brackets 35.The motor 4|, through suitable reduction gearing, housed in a gearcasing 42, is adapted to rotate a shaft 43, which is journaled in eachof the brackets 35 and extends therebetween. A lever 44 is secured tothe shaft 43 adjacent each end thereof. A link 45 connects the free end46 of each lever 44 with the adjacent arm 33, which, when extended asshown in Figure 2, forces the arms 33 downwardly and thereby the rollers36 into pressing engagement with the plate II. A stop plate 41 securedto the bracket 35 is positioned to be engaged by the end 46 of the lever44 to limit its movement past the maximum extended position of itselfand the link 45. The motor 4| is also of the type wherein a brake isprovided which is automatically applied to stop and hold the motor whenthe same is de-energized.

The forward or cutting movement of the table I4 is limited by the use ofa limit switch which is actuated by a lug 52 secured to the table I4 andengages the operating member 53 of the switch 5| when the table hasreached the desired limit of forward movement. The switch 5| opens acircuit stopping the motor l6 and closes another circuit, whereby therotation of the motor I6 is reversed and the table I4 returned to itsstart position. The reverse movement of the table I4 is limited by alimit switch 54, which is actuated by a lug 55 secured to the table l4and engages the operating member 56 of the switch 54 when the table hasreached its limit of reverse movement. The switch 54 opens a circuitstopping the reverse rotation of the motor Hi.

The rotation of the motor 4| to dispose the rollers 36 carried by thearms 33 into plate clamping position is limited by a limit switch 51which is actuated by the end 46 of the lever 44 by its engagement withthe operating member 56 of the switch 51. The switch 51 opens a circuitstopping the motor 4| and closes another circuit whereby the rotation ofthe motor 4| is reversed and the arms 33 are raised releasing therollers 36 from pressing engagement with the plate I The arm up movementrotation of the motor 4| is limited by a limit switch 59, which isactuated by the end 46 of the lever 44 by its engagement when the arms33 are in raised position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, withthe operating member 6| of the switch 59. The switch 59 opens a circuitstopping the motor 4|.

Referring to Figure 5, wherein the electrical controls and the circuitsconnecting the same are diagrammatically illustrated, it will be notedthat only two push button switches, a start switch 62 and a stop switch63 are required to cause actuation and interruption respectively of themachine through one cycle of its operations. The arrangement is suchthat by the closing of the common start switch 62 the machine operationsstart and continue uninterruptedly until completed, the stop switch 63being used only when it is desired to stop the operations of the machinebefore they are completed. Assuming that a plate II has been disposedand clamped between the members 3| and 32 upon the table 4, the variousdevices are in the following po sitions, the table I4 is in its startposition as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2, the arms 33 and therollers 36 carried thereby are in raised position as shown in dottedlines in Figure 2, and the shaving blade I2 is in the dotted positionshown in Figure 4.

After a plate II has been disposed upon the table M, as above described,the push button start switch 62 is closed. The closing of the switch 62connects contacts 64 and 65, 64 being connected by a conductor 66 to theline wire LL2 and 65 being connected by a conductor 61 to one terminalof a switch actuating coil 68 in a control box 69, the other terminal ofthe coil 68 being connected by a conductor 1| to the line wire LLI.Energization of the coil 68 will through suitable contacts controllingthe motor 4| cause it to rotate to lower the arms 33 and thereby therollers 36 into clamping engagement with the plate H on the table l4.

The circuit above described is maintained closed, even though the pushbutton switch 62 is released by the operator due to the closing of acircuit from the conductor 66 through the closed stop switch 63 and aconductor 12 to a contact 13 of the down limit closed switch 51, throughthis switch from the contact 14 to a contact 15 through a switch 16 to acontact 11 and then to the coil 68 by way of conductors 18 and 61, theswitch 16 being closed by the initial energization of the coil 68. Theinitial movement of the arms 33 downwardly and away from the up limitswitch 59 permits this switch to close whereby a low voltage coil 8| isenergized while the switch 62 is being maintained closed by theoperator.

By means of the switch 62 the coil 8| is placed in circuit with the linewire LL2, through the conductor 66, contact 64 and a conductor 82connected to one terminal of the coil 8|, the other terminal thereofbeing connected by a conductor 83 to the up limit switch 59 and throughit to the line wire LLI by the conductors 84 and 1|. The circuit throughthe coil 8| is maintained after the switch 62 is released due to theclosing of a switch 85 across contacts 86 and 81, the switch 85 beingactuated by the coil 8|. The contact 86 is connected to the coil 8| bythe conductors 88 and 82 and the contact 81 is connected to the linewir-e LL2 through conductors 89 and 12, switch 63 and conductor 66.

When the arms 33 and rollers 36 reach the desired limit of theirdownward movement, the switch 51 is actuated to open the circuit betweenthe contacts 13 and 14. This will open the circuit of the control coil68 and the motor 4| stops. The switch 51, when so actuated, also closesa circuit between the contact 13 and a contact 9| whereby the motor I6and, simultaneously therewith, the solenoid 25 are energized. Theclosing of the circuit between the contacts 13 and 9| connects the linewire LL2 from the conductor 12 and the switch 63 to a now closed switch92, closed by previous energization of the coil 8|, through a conductor93 connecting the contact 9| with a contact 94 of the switch 92, andfrom the other contact thereof through a conductor 96 to a contact 91 ofthe forward table movement limit switch 5|. The circuit continues from acontact 98 of the switch 5| to one terminal of a motor control coil 99in a control box IIII, through a conductor I02 and from the otherterminal of the coil 99 through a conductor I03 to a closed switch I04from which it is connected to the line wire LLI by a conductor I05.Energization of the coil 99 due to its action on suitable and well knowncontrols, not shown, will cause rotation of the motor I6 to move thetable I4 and with it the plate II towards the cutting blade I2. When themotor control coil 99 is energized, a switch I06 is closed connectingone terminal of the solenoid 25 with the line wire LI through aconductor I01, the switch I96, and from the switch through a conductorI08. The other terminal of the solenoid 25 is connected by a conductorI09 to the line wire LL2. Energization of the solenoid 25 disposes theblade I2 in plate shaving position, as shown in full lines in Figure 4.

The table I4 is now moved forwardly by the motor I6 through theinstrumentality of the threaded spindle I5 until the lug 52 actuates theswitch 5|. The initial movement of the table releases the switch 54 fromthe lug 55 whereby the switch 54 is closed. When the lug 52 actuates theswitch 5| to open it and thereby stop the forward rotation of the motorI6, the coil 99 is de-energized, connection is established between thecontact 91 and a contact I90, and the switch I06 opens to de-energizethe solenoid 25 and the blade I2 is raised away from said plate II, asabove described. At the same time that the switch I96 opens, a switchIII which is also controlled by the coil 99, closes, whereby an up armmotor control coil I I2 is energized to cause rotation of the motor 4|to raise the arms 33 and the rollers 36 from the plate I I.Simultaneously, with the energization of the coil I I2, a table motorcontrol coil I I3 is energized to cause reverse rotation of the motor I6to move the table I4 backwardly into its initial start position by theclosing of the switch 5| to connect the contact 91 with a contact I09thereof.

The coil H2 is energized to cause the motor 4| to raise the arms 33 bybeing connected to the line wire LLI by the conductor II4 connected toone terminal of the coil I I2, the up limit switch 59 and conductors 84and I I. The other terminal of the coil H2 is connected to the line wireLL2 by a conductor II5, a conductor H6 and a conductor III connected toa contact of a switch IIB closed by energization of the coil II3, theother contact of which is connected by a conductor II9 to the conductorI2, the stop push button switch 63 and the conductor 66. The operationof the motor 4| continues until the circuit is opened by actuation ofthe limit switch 59.

The coil H3 is energized by being connected to the line wire LI by aconductor I2I connected to one terminal of the coil H3 and leading tothe switch III, which has been closed as above described, a conductorI22 leading from the switch III to the closed switch 54, and from switch54 through a conductor I23. The other terminal of the coil H3 isconnected tothe line wire LL2 by a conductor I24, the conductors I I6,switch 5| by connection of contacts I00 and 91 thereof, conductor 96,switch 92, conductor 93, switch 5'! by connection of contacts 9| and I3thereof, conductor I2, the switch 63 and the conductor 66. As soon asthetable I4 starts backwardly, the switch 5| actuates to open thecircuit between the contacts 91 and I00 thereof, but due to the nowclosed condition of the switch II8 closed by energization of the coilII3, the circuit through the coil II3 to the line wire LL2, ismaintained by the conductors I24, I I6 and I II, the switch I I8, theconductors I I9 and I2 and the stop switch 63. The operation of themotor I6 continues until the circuit is opened by the actuation of thelimit switch 54.

Opening of the switches 54 and 59 stops the operations of the variousdevices of the machine after a complete cycle thereof, and they come torest in their initial start positions, whereby a new plate II may bedisposed upon the table I4. During any moment of the above describedcycle of operations of the machine, interruption thereof is possible byactuation of the switch 63 to open the circuits, all of which arecontrolled thereby. It is to be understood that the control boxes 69 andII" contain suitable motor controls in combination with thoseillustrated, whereby the respective motors 4| and I6 may be connected tothe line wires LI, L2 and L3 to properly energize the same for thedesired direction of rotation.

By the provision of the features above described a plate shaving machineis particularly improved in respect to construction and operation. Theprincipal improvement in operation comprises the provision of a singleswitch by the actuation. of which a complete cycle of operations isstarted, each of which is controlled by limit switches, certain onesbeing adapted to interrupt an operation and be actuated to start anotheroperation. Another improving feature comprises the provision of a motorraised and lowered plate clamping device, the operation of which isstarted by the closing of a manually actuatable switch and whichcontinues automatically until arrested by suitable movement limitingswitches. The provision of a stop switch arranged to be in control ofall of the operating devices of the machine permits the immediateinterruption of the same should occasion demand such action.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributesthereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment beconsidered in. all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and itwill be further understood that each and every novel feature andcombination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosedforms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

1. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a plate on said table, separate electrically operatedmeans to operate said table, said cutting member, and said hold downdevice, and a common operation starting means for all of said operatingmeans.

2. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a. plate on said table, separate electrically operatedmeans to operate said table, said cutting member, and said hold downdevice, and a common operation starting means and a common operationstopping means for all of said operating means.

3. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a plate on said table, separate electrically operatedmeans to operate said table, said cutting member, and said hold downdevice, a common operation starting means for all of said operatingmeans, and movement limiting means for said plate hold down, device.

4. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a plate on said table, separate electrically operatedmeans to operate said table, said cutting member, and said hold downdevice, a common operation starting means and a common operationstopping means for all of said operating means, and movement limitingmeans for said plate hold down device.

5. In, a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a plate on said table, electrically operated means formoving said plate hold down device, a plurality of electrically operatedmovement limiting means for said device moving means, one of saidlimiting means being operable to limit the movement of said device inone direction and to start its movement in the other direction.

6. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprccable plate holding table, aplate cutting member, a plate hold down device, said cutting member andsaid hold down device being mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with a plate on said table, electrically operated means formoving said plate hold down device, a plurality of electrically operatedmovement limiting means for said device moving means, one of saidlimiting means being operable to limit the movement of said device inone direction and to start its movement in the other direction, means tooperate said table and said cutting member moving means, and commonoperation starting means for all of said moving means.

7. In a plate shaving machine, a plate receiving table, an electricaltable moving means, a plate engaging and holding down device, anelectrically operated device moving means, electrical controls to limitthe operation of said table moving means, electrical controls to limitthe operation of said holding down device moving means, each of saidlimiting means being adapted to cause the reverse movement of one ofsaid moving means.

8. In. plate shaving machine, a plate receiving table, an electricaltable moving means, a plate engaging and holding down device, anelectrically operated device moving means, electrical controls to limitthe operation of said table moving means,

- electrical controls to limit the operation of said holding down devicemoving means, each of said limiting means being adapted to cause thereverse movement of one of said moving means, and common operationstarting means for both of said moving means.

9. In a plate shaving machine, a plate receiving table, an electricalmotor for moving said table, a plate hold down device, an electricalmotor for moving said device, electrical control means to causeoperation of said table moving motor, electrical control means to causeoperation of said device moving motor, interconnecting means betweensaid control means to cause each of said moving motors to reverse itsdirection, to reverse the movement of the device or table moved thereby,and a common means to initially start said motors.

10. In a plate shaving machine, a plate receiving table, means toreciprocate said table, a movable plate hold down device adapted toengage the plate on said table and to be disengaged therefrom, anelectrical motor for moving said device, electrical means to limit themovement of said device in each direction, means to automaticallyreverse the device moving motor during a period of machine operation,and means to initially start said motor.

11. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocably mounted plate receivingtable, a swingably mounted plate hold down device, electrically operatedmeans to cause said table to move in one direction and then to return toits initial position, electrically operated means to swing said devicein one direction and then to return to its initial position, andelectrical control means in connection with both said electricallyoperated means to cause a complete cycle of the aforesaid operations ofsaid table moving means and said device swinging means.

12. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocably mounted plate receivingtable, a swingably mounted plate hold down device, electrically operatedmeans to cause said table to move in one direction and to return to itsinitial position, electrically operated means to swing said device inone direction and then to return to its initial position, electricalcontrol means in connection with both said electrically operated meansto cause a complete cycle of the aforesaid operations of said tablemoving means and said device swinging means, and common electrical meansto initially start said moving and swinging means.

13. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocably mounted plate receivingtable, a swingably mounted plate hold down device, electrically operatedmeans to cause said table to move in one direction and to return to itsinitial position, electrically operated means to swing said device inone direction and then to return to its initial position, electricalcontrol means in connection with both said electrically operated meansto cause a complete cycle to the aforesaid operations of said tablemoving means and said device swinging means, and common electrical meansto interrupt the operation of said moving and swinging means.

14. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocably mounted plate receivingtable, a swingably mounted plate hold down device, electrically operatedmeans to cause said table to move in one direction and to return to itsinitial position, electrically operated means to swing said device inone direction and then to return to its initial position, electricalcontrol means in connection with both said electrically operated meansto cause a complete cycle to the aforesaid operations of said tablemoving means and said device swinging means, common electrical means toinitially start said moving and swinging means, and common electricalmeans to interrupt the operation of said moving and swinging means.

15. In a plate shaving machine of the type described, a plate supportingtable, electrically operated means to reciprocate said table from aninitial position and then return it to its initial position,electrically operated means to stop said table upon its return to itsinitial position, a plate hold down device, electrically operated meansto swing said device first into and then out of plate engaging position,electrically operated means tostop said device upon its return to itsinitial position out of plate engaging position, and common electricalmeans in control of both said table moving and device swinging means toinitially start the operation thereof.

16. In a plate shaving machine of the type described, a plate supportingtable, electrically operated means to reciprocate said table from aninitial position and then return it to its initial position,electrically operated means to stop said table upon its return to itsinitial position, a plate hold down device, electrically operated meansto swing said device first into and then out of plate engaging position,electrically operated means to stop said device upon its return to itsinitial position out of plate engaging position, and electrical controlmeans in connection with said table moving and device swinging means tocause a substantially uninterrupted complete cycle of operations of eachsubstantially simultaneously.

17. In a plate shaving machine of the type described, a plate supportingtable, electrically operated means to reciprocate said table from aninitial position and then return it to its initial position,electrically operated means to stop said table upon its return to itsinitial position, a plate hold down device, electrically operated meansto swing said device first into and then out of plate engaging position,electrically operated means to stop said device upon its return to itsinitial position out of plate engaging position, electrical controlmeans in connection with said table moving and device swinging means tocause a substantially uninterrupted complete cycle of operations of eachsubstantially simultaneously, and common electrical means in control ofsaid control means to stop the operation of said plate moving and holddown devices at any period of their operation.

18. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, amovable plate cutting member, a swingable plate hold down device,separate electrically operated means for actuating said table, saidmember, and said device, electrical interlocking connections betweensaid electrically operated means including an electrical switch, whichwhen actuated, will cause a. complete cycle of operations.

19. In a plate shaving machine, a reciprocable plate holding table, amovable plate cutting memher, a swingable plate hold down device,separate electrically operated means for actuating said table, saidmember, and said device, electrical interlocking connections betweensaid electrically operated means, including an electrical switch, whichwhen. actuated, will cause a complete cycle of operations, and anelectrical switch, which when actuated, will cause an interruption inthe cycle of operations.

WILLIAM F. HUCK.

